Providence & RI

Providence, Rhode Island, is a place of distinctive people, original thinking, and local pride. Lucky for you, Brown is right in the middle of it all.

Its distinctive colonial history leaves its mark on more than streets and churches. City founder Roger Williams, who left the Massachusetts Bay Colony in pursuit of religious freedom, went on to carve out a new colony in an area sometimes dubbed Rogue’s Island. That spirit has shaped the local culture and institutions, such as Brown, which is dedicated to diversity and intellectual freedom.

Brown/Trinity Rep MFA actors in "Edwin Drood"In the state capital, you can find experimental theater next to karaoke, rock clubs around the corner from old Victorian homes, and a skating rink at the mayor’s doorstep. The beauty of Providence is that it keeps its idiosyncratic ways and treasured stretches of colonial architecture, while also embracing the more cosmopolitan aspects of Boston, to the north, and New York, to the south.

The advantage of living in the smallest U.S. state — only 48 miles long by 37 miles wide — is especially apparent when you go exploring: No Rhode Island destination is more than an hour away. Head down to Newport for great music festivals or sample the Ocean State’s storied coastline, with beaches from Watch Hill to Little Compton. If you prefer spending your time inland, there are local farms, vineyards, orchards, hiking, a drive-in theater, dozens of parks, and numerous towns in which you can experience unadulterated Rhode Island-ness (stuffies and cabinets, for example).

Downtown Providence has experienced dramatic growth during the past 25 years, highlighting its emergence as one of the most exciting urban areas in the country.

Travel + Leisure magazine again named Providence one of America's Favorite Cities. Strong cultural life and food and restaurants make it a standout. Best hamburgers -- who knew? Yahoo Travel also ranks Providence as one of the 10 most romantic cities in America, saying, "Providence combines small-city charm with big town amenities."